Posted on February 21, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Landscape, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
This image caught my eye as I was scrolling through the thousands of shots I’ve taken this year at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. It was the simple elements that drew me in to the photo – a few evergreen trees, a tower, and Tundra Swans set against the mountainside. I imagine that this might be the view that the Tundra Swans and Snow Geese have as they soar over the hills surrounding Middle Creek. When I revisited the area, I searched for the spot where my lens was focused when I took this image but I was not able to locate it. I find this image to be very peaceful and it reminds me of the grace and elegance of the Tundra Swans.
Posted on February 19, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Painting Effect, Wildlife, Winter
After about 10 years of photographing snow geese at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, I think I have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the geese. Each and every visit, however, provides new surprises! This year I’m photographing on a tripod with a Gimbel pan head which I have only had for several months. It’s taking some getting used to, but is saving my back from the endless pain of holding a heavy camera and lens for hours. Being able to react quickly has been the biggest challenge. On Saturday, the snow geese were on the lake and started to make a lot of noise, which typically happens when they are thinking about taking to flight. Often a bald eagle causes the whole group to blast off en masse. On this day, however, it was a quick fly over by a Great Blue Heron that created all of the ruckus! I was able to track the bird and focus quickly enough for a photo or two! A treat to be sure!
Posted on February 17, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
Another day … another 75,000 snow geese to photograph! One of my favorite sights during the migration is watching the snow geese land on the water or ice (without crashing into one another!). Their little orange feet come down and they land with such grace! On this day, the sun was shining brightly in the early afternoon of my visit. The largest number of photographers and bird enthusiasts seems to be toward dusk when more and more snow geese make their way to the lake to roost for the night. Unfortunately, as the day grew long, the clouds rolled in and hopes for photographing birds at sunset was lost. Still the soft light as the sun fell behind the clouds made for beautiful coloring on the water.
Posted on February 14, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Nature, Wildlife, Winter
Note to self … never pass up the opportunity to spend the day with 70,000+ of your favorite snow geese! The migration is AMAZING to see and hear in person. If you have the chance, don’t miss it! The time is now and the place is Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Kleinfeltersville, Pa.
Posted on February 11, 2018 in Birds, Documentary, Landscape, Nature, Winter
I made a short visit to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on Saturday. With rain in the forecast for the afternoon, I knew it would be a quick visit. The estimate for the day was 50,000 snow geese and they were very active as 4-6 bald eagles were in the vicinity looking for lunch! Everyone waits for the geese to take to flight en masse and they did not disappoint! With that many geese flying overhead, it’s inevitable that you will be subject to falling poop. It happened to me and a couple friends yesterday. Yuck!